HEALING:A Breast Cancer Journey with Arlene Fleming: Recent Episodes
Arlene Fleming
From diagnosis to the present day - a personal breast cancer journey, sharing experiences of what it is like to go through the cycle of chemo, surgery and radiation and trying to remain mindful in the healing process. With broadcaster, artist and mother Arlene Fleming.
I've had my hair cut and coloured!
I'm back at work and it's business as usual.
I have a powerful experience in hypnotherapy which gives me a beautiful momentum to carry on.
Two weeks before I return to work, I wonder if I'll have enough energy.
I'm reminded that the essence of this journey is being, not doing.
I time-travel back to the early days of this podcast, meeting myself at a different stage.
I make an appointment with my hairdresser!
I try to keep my mood buoyant, I want to start populating my life with joy and achievements.
My radiation treatment begins.
I miss my daughter's graduation ceremony.
Anxiety dreams about work!
Covid finally enters the household.
Letting things fall.
Soul-searching, self-acceptance - warts and all.
The big lesson in my breast cancer journey.
I feel like I'm in a chrysalis state, on the edge of depression.
I'm starting to have a fear of going out, but I breathe through the anxiety, take the dog out for a walk - and have to handle conversations with well-meaning acquaintances.
I visit my parents in Scotland and have "the cancer talk" with family and friends.
Milestones missed.
Raw emotions - and dealing with "Duncan".
Awaiting my pathology results - trying not to poke my fear with a stick.
The possibility of a new chemo drug as "belt and braces".
The joy of messy hair.
It's the day of the second operation to remove cancerous cells.
I'm touched by the little kindnesses and Netflix chats with the NHS nurses.
I work towards acceptance of my fear, and open up about my background in Alternative Therapies and my spiritual life.
This illness has said to me: "Be yourself."
A long wait for pathology results and battling with my mental health.
One of the things about having cancer is how it affects everyone else.
I'm locking myself into a circle of fear, so I need to build up my support network.
I find myself in a different space, where I'm not in contact so much with the hospital, but a lot of fear and anxiety about the future has bubbled up.
I think about what really matters, and what I want to put back into my life.
One week before my lumpectomy.
Anxiety wants to pull me into the fear zone.
Wouldn't it be lovely not to worry, to just be in the moment?
I just want to create for the sake of creating.
I have my lumpectomy today.
I wake up with a drain.
I'm getting familiar with feeling uncertain.
I swing between finding it a bit funny - to wondering what it's all about?
I'm given some martian-looking drugs.
I avoid the fearful space and start a course on the origin of the Celts.
I realise what life really means to me, and discover my life's purpose.
A trip to the supermarket, and a literal trip in the wet carpark.
Chemo postponed, a lowered dose, and some good news in the post.
I face some difficult decisions and await the results of a scan. I seek solace in Bach, knitting and vintage tv shows.
It's a difficult week. I want you to know that there's an inner strength, but it's a hard old journey. I'll get through it - people get through it. My fear is spiralling, but I am determined.
As I continue my chemo, I come to terms with losing my hair.
Cover art by Arlene Fleming.
Contact: Instagram @arleneflemingart
From diagnosis to the present day - a personal breast cancer journey, sharing experiences of what it is like to go through the cycle of chemo, surgery and radiation and trying to remain mindful in the healing process. With broadcaster, artist and mother Arlene Fleming.
Episode 1 - A discovery and diagnosis, out of the blue. As I begin chemo, I start to visualise my healing with "buddha bubbles".
Contact: Instagram @arleneflemingart
Cover Art - Arlene Fleming